Archive for January, 2013

This week has really made me realise just how many kind, interesting and funny people I have had the pleasure of meeting, all thanks to my sewing machine. I feel lucky to say that some have even become good great friends.

Last summer I decided that I would start a sewing group, a way of meeting new people locally who enjoyed sewing, knitting and all things crafty, oh and eating cake. As far as I’m concerned The Ladies Wot Stitch (as we are now known) has been one of the best things I’ve done in a long time. From a couple of adverts posted on netmums and in local sewing shops, we have become a crafty, cackling group of 8 great friends. I have to be honest production levels aren’t always very high when we meet but we do have a giggle. It’s so nice to meet up once a fortnight, catch up with what’s been going on, moan about our husbands/kids/jobs and chat about all the crafty things we want to try out. Oh and eat cake. There’s always cake.

Monday night was our first meet up since Christmas so we decided instead of doing our normal crafty night we would go for a post Christmas dinner at a local pub. We had a lovely evening, lots of giggling, good food, wine and dessert. We’re an eclectic bunch but it just works.

Tuesday morning I received a lovely fabric parcel in the post from Karen at Blueberry Park. I helped her out by sending her some oilcloth she was finding hard to source and as a thank you she sent me these beauties. Thank you Karen! I’ve already started cutting them for my #scrappytripalong quilt. I am totally in love with the camping fabric!!

Earlier in the week I also decided to join in with the “Pay it forward” craze that’s happening on Instagram. Basically you offer to make 5 people a gift in 2013 and in return they have to make 5 more people a gift. Elisabeth over at Woozy Quilts offered to make 5 people a gift and I put my name down, we had a great chat via email sharing how we got into sewing and what sorts of projects we enjoy. It was nice to learn a little more about the person behind the photos I see every day on Instagram.

I guess I just thought by buying a sewing machine I would learn a new skill and have something to enjoy by myself. I never realised that buying that machine would lead to starting my own blog, sewing group, business and meeting (some virtually) so many new friends from across the globe as well as being able to make lots of gifts for my friends and family.

I think that 2013 is going to be a great crafty year for me. I’ve also decided I’m going to make a big effort to do something nice for as many people as possible this year, I’m going to try my best to make “pay it forward” my ethos for 2013. What do you think? Fancy giving it a go? Leave a comment and let me know how you are going to “pay it forward”.

If any of you follow me on Instagram or twitter you may have noticed I’ve decided to join the Scrappy Trip Along. Over the new year Brenda over at Pink Castle Fabrics and Megan of Lucy and Norman started a bit if an Instagram viral quilt along. It’s a pretty simple quilt but really fun to do, it must be if so many of us have decided to give it a go right? Why not give it ago! The ladies have set up a Flickr group here or you can find us all on Instagram using #scrappytripalong. There is also a tutorial which is very easy to follow here

Here’s my first 6 blocks, I know they are a work in progress but you get the idea, oh and sorry about the dodgy socks, my feet are really cold this evening.

As you can see she really did spoil me (and my family) rotten. She made me not 1 but 4!! scarves, which somehow she managed to make in colours that all go really well with my petrol blue coat. A tote from Joanns, some perfume, coffee for hubby, popping candy and a quarter each for the monsters, even some Alaskan salmon treats for the dogs. It was like a second Christmas when this amazing package arrived!! I can’t thank Gina enough for her generosity.

Before I go I’ve finally remembered to show you a couple of the Christmas gifts I made. My dad got my mum a new tablet for Christmas so I made her a case for it, to match her make-up bag I made for her birthday, she does loves Snoopy.

And for my forever travelling sister I made this Atlas tote. I made it to fit hand luggage requirements so she can take it with her on any of her travels. I made sure I put Asia on the outside, it’s her favourite place.

Don’t forget you can still use code NEWYEAR13 to receive 13% off in my Etsy shop.